Catonsville and Owings Mills Maryland Counselor and Therapist; Additionally Licensed in NE, FL, ME, IN, and CT

Category: Self Help

Effects of Emotional Abuse in Relationships

Emotional abuse in relationships can have severe and long-lasting effects on a person’s mental and emotional well-being. Emotional abuse involves the use of manipulation, control, and belittlement to undermine a person’s self-esteem and sense of worth. Here are some of the effects of emotional abuse in relationships:

Low self-esteem: Emotional abuse can lead to a person feeling unworthy and lacking in self-confidence. The constant criticism and belittlement can make a person feel like they are not good enough, leading to feelings of shame and self-doubt.
Anxiety and depression: Emotional abuse can cause a person to feel anxious and depressed. The constant stress of walking on eggshells and trying to avoid triggering the abuser can lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Isolation: Emotional abuse can lead to a person feeling isolated and alone. The abuser may try to isolate the person from friends and family, leaving them feeling like they have no one to turn to for help or support.
PTSD: Emotional abuse can cause Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in some people. The constant stress and trauma can lead to flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms of PTSD.
Physical symptoms: Emotional abuse can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach problems, and muscle tension. These physical symptoms can be a result of the constant stress and anxiety caused by the abuse.
Trust issues: Emotional abuse can lead to a person having trust issues in future relationships. The constant manipulation and control can make a person feel like they can’t trust anyone, leading to difficulty forming healthy relationships.
Self-destructive behavior: Emotional abuse can lead to a person engaging in self-destructive behavior, such as substance abuse, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts. These behaviors can be a way for the person to cope with the pain and trauma caused by the abuse.
It’s important to seek help if you are experiencing emotional abuse in a relationship. There are resources available, such as counseling and support groups, that can help you heal and recover from the effects of emotional abuse

Core Beliefs

Core beliefs are deeply ingrained beliefs that individuals hold about themselves, others, and the world around them. These beliefs are often formed in childhood and are reinforced over time through repeated experiences and interactions.

Core beliefs can have a powerful impact on an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. If an individual holds negative core beliefs, such as “I’m worthless” or “No one likes me,” it can lead to a negative self-image and a sense of hopelessness or helplessness. This can contribute to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Negative core beliefs can also impact an individual’s relationships with others. For example, if someone believes that “People can’t be trusted,” it may be difficult for them to form close relationships or to trust others. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.

In contrast, positive core beliefs can have a positive impact on an individual’s mental health and relationships. If an individual believes in their own worth and value, they may have a greater sense of self-esteem and confidence. This can lead to healthier relationships and greater resilience in the face of challenges.

Changing core beliefs can be a challenging process, but it is possible with the help of therapy and other interventions. By identifying negative core beliefs and challenging them with evidence-based techniques, individuals can learn to reframe their thoughts and develop more positive core beliefs. This can lead to greater emotional well-being and a more fulfilling life.

Schedule an Appointment with a Counselor at Time of Need Counseling to help you change negative core beliefs.

Concept of Self

The concept of self is an important component of counseling and psychotherapy. It refers to an individual’s understanding and perception of themselves, including their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and values.

In counseling, the concept of self is often explored and examined in order to help clients gain a greater understanding of themselves and to promote personal growth and change. Counselors may work with clients to help them identify and challenge negative self-talk or beliefs, and to develop a more positive self-concept.

One approach to working with the concept of self in counseling is through cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors in order to improve mental health and well-being. In CBT, clients learn to identify negative self-talk and beliefs, and to replace them with more positive and accurate ones.

Another approach to working with the concept of self in counseling is through person-centered therapy. Person-centered therapy emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and self-actualization, and focuses on the individual’s unique experience and perspective. In person-centered therapy, the counselor provides a safe and supportive environment for the client to explore their thoughts and feelings, and to gain a greater understanding of themselves.

Overall, the concept of self is a fundamental aspect of counseling and psychotherapy, and working with clients to promote a positive and healthy self-concept can lead to greater emotional well-being and personal growth.

Anxiety and Stress Management

Anxiety and Stress Management- Kyle Kellermeyer, MA, LCPC

Definition

  • Changes affecting nearly every system of the body, influencing how people feel and behave

Job Stress

  • the harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury 

Stress in the workplace

  • Powerlessness
  • Job description
  • Workplace Trauma
  • Work Setting
  • Imposter syndrome- Sensation that one gets when they hold beliefs that they are not qualified for the position they hold
  • COVID

Covid and stress

Have you been experiencing any of the following symptoms?

  • Anger, fear, sadness
  • Decreased energy or motivation
  • Increase or decrease in appetite
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Decreases in mental and physical health
  • Abnormal substance usage

https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/cope-with-stress/index.html

COPING

Engage in positive practices

  • Exercising 
    • Aim for at least 30 minutes of increased heart rate
    • Engage in these activities at least 3 times per week
    • Benefits: increase body image, increased endorphin levels, coping skill
  • Eating healthy balanced meals
    • Aim for each meal to consist of: fats (25%), carbohydrates (40%), and protein (35%)
    • Eat 3-5 meals per day
    • Benefits: increased positive mood, better sleep, increase body image, increase overall physical health
  • Breathing
    • Inhale through the nose for at least 5 seconds at a slow controlled pace
    • Hold the inhaled breath for 2-4 seconds
    • Slowly exhale through the mouth for 5 seconds (like blowing through a straw)
    • Aim to complete 10-12 continuous repetitions every hour

Social engagement

  • Make plans to do tasks you enjoy with people who do not cause you stress

Take breaks

  • Utilize 5-10 minutes breaks to provide yourself with a mental and physical relief

Create lists

  • Utilizing lists can assist in decluttering our minds and reducing stress 
  • Either pen and paper, or creating a virtual list work
  • Record everything that is on your mind; then categorize these items by priority or in which the time they need to be completed
  • Be sure to check off the tasks that were completed during the day as this will provide an additional sense of accomplishment

References

American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Apa Dictionary of Psychology. American Psychological Association. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://dictionary.apa.org/stress 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014, June 6). Stress…at work (99-101). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/default.html 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, December 29). CDC updates and shortens recommended isolation and quarantine period for general population. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved February 26, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021, July 22). Coping with stress. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 1, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping/cope-with-stress/index.html 

Miller, L. H., & Smith, A. D. (2011, July 1). Stress in the Workplace. American Psychological Association. Retrieved February 24, 2022, from https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/workplace-stress 

Sparks, S. D. (2021, March 16). 6 feet or 3 feet: How far apart do students need to be? Education Week. Retrieved February 28, 2022, from https://www.edweek.org/leadership/6-feet-or-3-feet-how-far-apart-do-students-need-to-be/2021/02 

 

Grief Help for Parents in Catonsville and Owings Mills Maryland

The Center for Complicated Grief- Helpful Resources at
https://complicatedgrief.columbia.edu/for-the-public/resources-2/

Looking for help with grief? Meet our team of qualified counselors and therapists. Connie Wolf is a Certified Grief Specialist in Catonsville Maryland and Owings Mills Maryland.

What is Grief?

Simply defined, grief is the normal and natural reaction to significant emotional loss of any kind. While we never compare losses, any list would include death and divorce as obvious painful losses. Our list also includes many others; retirement, moving, pet loss, financial and health issues, among them.

  • Grief can affect our actions, emotions, thoughts, body, and faith.
  • These changes can be overwhelming and you may have a lot of questions about the future.
  • Much of what we have learned about grief from society is not helpful.
  • Grief doesn’t end when our work bereavement days end.

If you are wondering how long your grief will last, if what you are experiencing is abnormal, or just how you will learn to live with the loss in your life, there is help.

People cope with loss in different ways. One of the most important ways, is having support from others. Counselors who have training and experience in grief can provide support and help you to learn to live well despite your loss.

​If you have experienced grief and are having difficulty moving beyond the pain, consider allowing one of our counselors to come alongside you to help. You don’t have to suffer alone. Call our office to schedule an appointment.


Want to hear more about our services?

Give us a Call or Send an Email

3 Keys to Happiness in Daily Life

It doesn’t take a whole new routine to instill a dose of happiness into your day—but it does take a little self awareness.

1. Be grateful for the good & the bad.

Research shows, grateful people are happy people. It’s also important to understand that happiness is not the absence of negative feelings. Gratitude is a focus on the present and appreciation for what we have now, rather than wanting more. Embracing gratitude, as a state of mind, can have a positive affect on all aspects of life including our happiness and overall satisfaction.

Up your mood by taking a moment daily to think of your world with gratitude. Start a gratitude journal or take a walk in nature paying attention to all the gifts around us. Think of a person that helps you on a daily or weekly basis – a spouse, parent, friend, pet, teacher, cleaner, or babysitter.

Quiz: How grateful are you? Take the Gratitude Quiz published by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.

2. Flex your creativity muscles.

Do you have a passion or hobby? It doesn’t have to be a formal activity, simply engaging in creative thinking can enhance well-being by enhancing cognitive flexibility and problem-solving abilities. A recent study out of New Zealand, published in The Journal of Positive Psychology explains that creative activities can trigger an “upward spiral” of well-being.

“Practicing an art — no matter how well or badly — is a way to make your soul grow. So do it.” – Kurt Vonnegut.

Make some space in your day to create, even if it’s just for the sake of it. Try exploring unique textures or even natural and recycled materials to make something for your home or a friend. Looking for some tips on how to add more creativity into your daily life? Read this list of 101 creative habits to explore.

3. Get connected, Stay connected.

Being apart of something larger than yourself can help bring perspective as well as a sense of belonging. Scientific evidence strongly suggests that feeling like you belong and generally feel close to other people is a core psychological need; essential to feeling satisfied with your life. The pleasures of social life register in our brains much the same way physical pleasure does.

So take the time to nurture a friendship that is important to you. Make an extra effort to show you care, send a card, make a plan to have lunch, or give them a call and really listen to what they say. Smile and say hello to a stranger. Tell a story when someone asks how your day is going. Notice how you feel when you share something with someone new.

Struggling and need support? Join a support group and talk to others that can relate. Find your tribe: support.therapytribe.com – a free online support community brought to you by TherapyTribe.

TherapyTribe - Wellness Tracker Tip: Check out the wellness tracker. It’s a simple but powerful tool designed to help you remember the promises you make to yourself. As you complete wellness activities your tree will blossom, and so will you!